Democracy is an act and youth must play their part
This year’s International Youth Day was particularly profound because young people are at a pivotal point in determining what the next decade will become. As much as it has been an almost impossible year to survive, with a raging pandemic and immense loss of lives and livelihoods, not all is lost.
Saying this when uncertainty and anxiety have permeated all elements of life may be the most irrational thing, but hear me out. This year continues to remind us of several cardinal things, starting from why we must wake up — not from physical sleep but a mental one. Most young people believe the utopian narrative that there’s a certain future set aside for them and, because of this, they’ve restrained themselves from being mentally plugged into democratic processes.
Yet John Lewis reminds us that “Democracy is not a state. It’s an act and each one of us must play our part”. Which links to the weighty lesson of this year: plugging in, because when the earth almost fell off its axis due to a pandemic, we realised that everyone has to play a role. So, yes, plugging in mentally is no longer an activist’s duty, but a common human duty. We must create, evolve, and exploit new mental ideals of things that don’t yet exist as a means of finding new paths of growth.
Second, the youth must pursue intentionality in everything they do. Intentionality means starting to actively answer the question of why, for example, does your role matter? Why should you play it and how? Your role can be having a voice that amplifies others, creating ecosystems that allow others to thrive or even being a space-holder for those doing the work to find places of rest and restoration. No matter what your “why” is, find it and join the constellation of those in pursuit of intentionality.
Third, this year is begging us to chase purpose and reject everything that’s not aligned with a higher purpose. This applies not only to our personal growth but also to the professional, political and sociocultural.
All of these affect how political, governance or policy decisions are made — and that’s why we should be clear about our purpose.
The systemic arteries that hold state functions as autonomous entities have been on the spotlight as deeply unjust and requiring strengthening. Our collective purpose in this context should be chasing better-functioning systems.
Lastly, it is critical that the youth realise that despite this being a year of tumultuous rifts, they mustn’t let go of what is possible. They should do more than adapt to changes happening and instead, be part of shaping the outcomes.
Proactivity, courage and ingenuity are the essence of being young, let not your youth be wasted. The task of young people, therefore, is to clear the slate and solidify their claim on this decade as one of hopeful intervention.
The writer is a policy analyst; okoreschea@gmail.com
Proactivity, courage and ingenuity are the essence of being young ~ Scheaffer Okore | Equity
